Storage apparatus

ABSTRACT

A storage apparatus for use on a wall and with jewelry is disclosed. The apparatus includes a receiver and a cover. The receiver is adapted to receive the jewelry and is attached to the wall in use such that the receiver presents the jewelry received away from the wall. The cover has a presentation face and is attached to the receiver for sliding movement between a storage position where the receiver is disposed behind the presentation face and an extended position beside the receiver to permit access to jewelry received by the receiver. The presentation face can be a mirror; or a picture-receiving face, in which case, the apparatus also functions as a picture frame; or a transparent panel, in which case the apparatus also functions as a presentation fixture.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Ser. No.11/236,980 filed Sep. 28, 2005 which claims the benefit of CanadianPatent Application Serial No. 2,483,960, filed Oct. 4, 2004, titledJEWELLERY DISPLAY SYSTEM, the contents of which are incorporated hereinin its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus or device used forstorage, and more particularly, to an apparatus used for storingjewelry.

BACKGROUND

There are many different types of jewelry storage devices that arereadily available on the market. Such storage devices range fromordinary jewelry boxes designed to be placed in drawers and the like torather elaborate arrangements which tend to be substantially moreexpensive.

It is also known in the prior art to provide lockable devices whichprevent theft. These devices are often hidden in drawers, beneath a bed,or other similar locations, so that a potential thief will be unable tolocate same. However, usually a burglar will ransack a residence untilthe jewelry is found. Thus, it is often futile to use such devicesunless a very secure type of apparatus such as a wall safe is utilized.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel device forstoring jewelry.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided aframe member, a mirror mounted in said frame member, where the jewelrystorage apparatus is mounted to the frame rearwardly of the mirror. Thejewelry storage apparatus is mounted to a wall in use. The mirror ismovable from a position where the jewelry storage device is rearwardlydisposed therefrom to a position beside the jewelry storage apparatuswhere the user can select the jewelry and try on the jewelry with themirror being proximate thereto.

According to another aspect, a storage apparatus forms part of theinvention. The storage apparatus is for use on a wall and with jewelry,and comprises a receiver and a cover. The receiver is adapted to receivesaid jewelry and is mounted to said wall in use such that said receiverpresents jewelry received thereby away from said wall. The cover has apresentation face and is mounted to said receiver for sliding movementin use between a storage position whereat the receiver is disposedbehind the presentation face and an extended position beside thereceiver to permit access to jewelry received by said receiver.

According to another aspect, the presentation face may be transparent,such that, in use, with the cover in the storage position, jewelryreceived by said receiver can be viewed through the presentation face.

According to another aspect, the cover may be a picture frame, with thepresentation face being a picture-receiving face.

According to another aspect, the cover may be a mirror, with thepresentation face being a mirrored surface.

According to another aspect, the receiver may be further adapted toreceive documents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawingswherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout theseveral views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a storage apparatus or device forstoring jewelry, with a cover shown in an extended position;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the storage apparatus, with thecover shown in a storage position;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view according to a second embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view according to a third preferredembodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the storage apparatus of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawing in greater detail, and by reference charactersthereto, there is illustrated in FIGS. 1-2 and 5 a storage apparatus ordevice generally designated by reference numeral 10.

The storage apparatus 10 includes a first portion comprising a frame orcover 12 having a top frame member 14, a bottom frame member 16, and apair of side frame members 18, 20. Mounted interiorly of frame members14,16, 18, and 20 is a mirror or presentation face generally designatedby reference numeral 22. The cover is shown in an extended position withrespect to the storage apparatus 10 to permit access to the jewelry.

The storage apparatus 10 includes a sub frame assembly or receiver 24.The receiver 24 is slidably mounted with respect to the cover 12 and tothis end, a first ball bearing drawer slide 26 is located proximate tothe bottom of the receiver 24 and a second ball bearing drawer slide 28is proximate to the top of the receiver 24. The receiver 24 includes acentral portion 30, which is designed to receive jewelry as shown inFIGS. 1 and 5. The central portion preferably is formed of a softmaterial, one non-limiting example being cork covered with velvet. Aplurality of hooks 32 are mounted on the central portion 28 to receivejewelry. A pocket 34 is included on the central portion 30, to receivedocuments such as passports. Thumb tacks or any such suitable fasteneras is known in the industry can alternately or additionally be used tosecure jewelry or documents.

In use, normally the cover 12 is in a storage position, overlying thereceiver 24, as illustrated in FIG. 2, with the receiver 24 attached ormounted to a wall. The receiver 24 can be attached to the wall by screwsor any such suitable fastener as is known in the industry. When the userwishes to access jewelry, the cover 12 is slid out to the position shownin FIGS. 1 and 5, and the user can then try on various pieces of jewelrywhile looking in the mirror 22. In this example, the members 14,16,18,and 20 about the minor and the minor 22 itself may be of anyconventional style and will normally be chosen for the aestheticsthereof. There are many mirrors and frames known in the art and anysuitable combination may be utilized in the practice of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the invention. In this example, themirror 22 is replaced by a picture holder 36. In this embodiment, thestorage apparatus 10 also functions as a picture frame.

FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. In thisembodiment, the minor 22 is replaced by a transparent panel 38. In thisembodiment, the storage apparatus 10 serves as a presentation fixture,for use in retail environments or the like.

While the invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment,it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thedisclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadestinterpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalentstructures as is permitted under the law.

1. A storage apparatus for use on a wall having a wall surface and withjewelry, the storage apparatus comprising: a receiver adapted to receivethe jewelry and removably attachable to the wall where the receiverpresents the jewelry received away from said wall, the receiver having atop member, a bottom member and opposed side members, a back member anda the receiver defining an outer receiver boundary and a central portionconfigured to receive jewelry; a cover having a presentation face and anopposed face, the opposed face being attachable to the receiver forsliding movement relative to the receiver between a storage positionwhere the receiver is disposed behind the presentation face andlaterally extended position beside the receiver to permit access tojewelry received by the receiver wherein the cover is disposed at alocation exposing greater than half the receiver when the cover is inthe extended position, the cover having a presentation face and a framemember extending outward from the presentation face, wherein the coverslides lateral to the receiver and wherein the receiver has a frontregion defined within the outer receiver boundary; a plurality of hookmembers connected to the central portion of the receiver, the hookmembers configured to maintain articles of jewelry in suspendedrelationship thereon; and means for mounting the storage apparatus tothe wall surface such that the back panel is in overlying relationshipwith the wall surface; wherein the receiver includes first and secondball bearing drawer slide assemblies attached proximate to therespective top and bottom portions of the receiver interior to the outerreceiver boundary, the ball bearing drawer slides slidably connected tothe cover inward of the boundaries defined by the cover and by thereceiver.
 2. The storage apparatus according to claim 3, wherein thepresentation face is transparent, and the receiver is adapted such that,in use, with the cover in the storage position, the jewelry received bythe receiver can be viewed through the presentation face.
 3. The storageapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiver is adapted tofurther include a central portion formed of a soft material configuredto receive at least one of jewelry fasteners and thumbtacks.
 4. Thestorage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cover is a pictureframe and the presentation face is a picture-receiving face.
 5. Thestorage apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the receiver is adaptedto receive documents.
 6. The storage apparatus according to claim 3,wherein the cover is a mirror and the presentation face is a mirroredsurface.
 7. (canceled)
 8. The storage apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the receiver is adapted to receive documents.
 9. A storageapparatus for use on a wall and with jewelry, the storage apparatuscomprising: a receiver adapted to receive the jewelry and be removablyattachable to the wall where the receiver presents the jewelry receivedaway from said wall, the receiver having a back panel, a top panel, abottom panel and opposed planar side panels, the top panel, bottom paneland opposed planar side panels defining an outer boundary and forming asingle central inner cavity, the central inner region having a frontfacing surface and configured to position jewelry in a displayorientation; and a mirrored cover having a mirrored presentation faceand an opposed face, the opposed face oriented toward the receiver andattached to the receiver for sliding lateral movement between a storageposition where the receiver is disposed behind the presentation face andan extended position beside the receiver to permit access to jewelryreceived by the receiver when the apparatus is in the use position,wherein the extended position provides access to the entire centralcavity through the front opening and displays jewelry contained thereinin an upright display orientation; and wherein the receiver includesdrawer slides mounted proximate to and inward of top portions and bottomportions of the receiver, the drawer slides configured to slidablyengage the opposed surface of the mirrored cover.
 10. The storageapparatus according to claim 9 wherein the receiver is adapted toreceive documents.
 11. A storage apparatus for use on a wall and withjewelry, the storage apparatus comprising: a receiver having a backpanel and a top panel, a bottom panel and a pair of opposed planarpanels attached to and extending perpendicularly from the back panel,the receiver adapted to receive and display the jewelry and attachableto the wall where the receiver presents the jewelry received away fromsaid wall; and a cover having a transparent presentation face and beingattachable to the receiver for sliding movement in use between a storageposition where the receiver is disposed behind the presentation face andan extended position beside the receiver to permit access to jewelryreceived by the receiver and wherein the receiver is adapted such thatwith the cover in the storage position, the jewelry received by thereceiver can be viewed through the presentation face; and wherein thereceiver includes drawer slides mounted proximate to a top portion and abottom portion of the receiver, the drawer slides configured to slidablyengage the cover on a surface inward of an outer boundary defined by thecover.
 12. The storage apparatus according to claim 11 wherein thereceiver is adapted to receive documents.
 13. A method for storing andretrieving jewelry comprising the steps of: removably mounting thedevice of claim 1 on a wall surface such that the back member is inparallel overlying relationship to the wall surface; orienting the coverin the laterally extended position to expose greater than half of thereceiver after the device is mounted on the wall surface; positioning atleast one article of jewelry in suspended relationship on one of thehook members; and sliding the cover into the storage position to producea decorative wall-mounted device.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein thecover comprises a mirror and the method further comprises the steps of:sliding the cover laterally out of the storage position; removing atleast one article of jewelry contained in the receiver; and positioningthe article of jewelry on a wearer while viewing the article in themirror on the cover.